Dahlia Bishop of Leicester

Description

Bishop of Leicester is a single flower of white flushed purple and is very attractive to bees and butterflies. The bishop series of dahlias offer a superb range of colours. The bronze foliage of Bishop of Leicester is a trade mark of bishop dahlias.

Cultivation instruction

Plant Indoors: Dahlias are best started off indoors from January to March as they are sensitive to frosts. Plant in a mix of multi-purpose compost, sand and grit as this will provide drainage for the tuber. Protect young shoots from snails and slugs and when the fear of frosts has passed the tuber can be re-planted outside or the container positioned outdoors.

Plant outside: From Late March on wards, when the signs of frost have passed the dahlia tuber can be planted outside. Plant tubers into well prepared soils in late March to April. Soils should be cultivated to a depth of 20cms to allow good root development. Plant tubers in fertile soils with 5cms of soil above the top of the tuber. Protect early growth from slugs and snails and remove dead heads during the flowering season to get the best from them.  Regularly feed during the growing season with foods such as are well rotted manures, Tomato feed and bone meal or tomato food will provide food for continued flowering.

Care Tips:

For further growing instructions visit tims tips/dahlias on you tube

Dahlias can be left out over winter in well drained soils, just mulch to give added protection.

Ideal to grow with companion plants such as gladioli, asiatic lilies or many types of shrubs.

Growing information

Flowering Height: 34-36″ (80-90cm)

Flowering period: July to first frosts

Soil type: Free draining humus rich soils

Aspect: Semi shade to full sun

Scented: N/A

Planting distance: 80cm between dahlia plants

Planting depth: A depth of 5cms above the top of the tuber.

Full growing instructions are also provided